Thursday, January 26, 2012

What is it about reality television that draws us in? Do we just want to compare our own lives to those featured to see if we appear to be normal? Or, more likely, is it just that we want to shake our heads at those on the screen and wonder how in the world they ended up doing something quite so crazy?

The perfect example: Reed Timmer and his fearless team on Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel.

I don't mind a nice rainstorm or even a little lightening now and again, but I strongly prefer to watch it from the warmth and safety of my couch (or possibly peeking out from under the covers in bed) rather than being out on the road driving in it. The darkness, the rain, the unknown... no, I'm not purposely heading out there in that.

Reed, on the other hand, is out there with his crew driving straight for the action. They not only want to track down the twisters, but their goal is to actually go inside them. I'm shivering just thinking about it.

Fortunately, the Chase Team isn't out driving around in my minivan, but rather in the "Dominator," a technologically-advanced vehicle that is built to acquire all of the data that they are gathering while also keep them from getting swept up and away and dropped down in Oz.

Check out what this mobile marvel can do!

Crazy, right?

One of the features that Reed talks about in the "Dominator" is the importance of a great set of windshield wipers, because what good is chasing a tornado if you can't see where you're going out the window? After doing research to find the most advanced wipers, the Bosch ICON wiper blades were determined to be the highest quality and best for heading directly into a storm.

These bracketless wipers are designed without metal or plastic brackets, joints or hinges, which means they're an improvement over conventional wiper blades. Not to mention that everything from high-tension springs to an aerodynamic design to the customized, precision fit to the curve of the windshield means that these wiper blades will be able to perform in all types of weather.

Although when I'm out driving it's not to get precisely in the path of a tornado, I still want to know that I won't have a problem clearing my window in anything from rain to sleet to a splatter of mud and the Bosch ICON wiper blades are just the thing to do that to keep my family safe.

Plus, with up to a 40% longer life, it is easy to see that the amount of engineering that went into these wiper blades has resulted in a long-lasting, high quality, must-have product — no matter if you are driving home from soccer practice or into the path of a tornado.

To celebrate the release of the Bosch ICON wiper blades, Bosch is currently holding a contest on Facebook for a prize pack of incredible prizes (e.g. iPad 2, Bosch ICON wipers, iTunes gift card and more). On top of that, one lucky fan will win an experience of a lifetime: an all-expenses-paid, five-night VIP Storm Chasing trip for themselves and a guest with Reed Timmer!

If you've ever wanted to experience storm chasing, this is the contest for you! Be sure to visit the Bosch Facebook page to enter as well as to see Reed documenting his experience with the Bosch ICON wiper blades in a series of great webisodes.

And, thanks to the generosity of Bosch, one person will be prepared to head out safely in their car in nearly any type of weather, because...

To enter to win: Leave a comment telling me your favorite or least favorite type of weather. (For instance, do you love thunderstorms? Hate hail? Thrive in the snow?)

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Bosch on Facebook.1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 16th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Bosch for providing a pair of Bosch ICON wiper blades for me as well as a prize pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

I love, love, LOVE snow! (It helps that most of the time, I really don't have to go out in it.) My wish is to have a blizzard, so that even my husband wouldn't be able to go to work for a few days. :)I despise ice, though.